Trump calls for removal of Alaska candidates, citing alleged Democratic scheme

Donald Trump demanded that Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and a rival sharing the name of Alaska’s Republican incumbent be taken off next week’s ballot, accusing Democrats of an illegal scheme to confuse voters, the Guardian reported. The request came after a New York Times investigation revealed that Democratic operatives had secretly recruited so‑called “spoiler” candidates, including another Dan Sullivan, to siphon votes from incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.

At a rally in Georgia, the former president dismissed the opponents as “these are not serious people,” while in Ohio he defended his White House decor. Former President Barack Obama responded to Trump’s attacks, laughing and noting that “They mobilized a whole government response to that joke.”

The exchange highlights the heightened rhetoric as the midterm election approaches, with both parties trading barbs on the campaign trail.

Why it matters

The ballot challenge could alter the composition of the Alaska Senate race, while the public feud underscores escalating partisan tensions ahead of the midterms.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

29 Oct 2026, 17:13 IST

Key names

Obama, Donald Trump, Democratic Senate, Trump

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianTrump and Obama trade barbs on campaign trail in final days before midterm election – US politics live 29 Oct, 17:13

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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